If you're looking for an expert opinion, QUOTE THIS WOMAN

THE NEWS IS DOMINATED BY MEN, WHETHER THEY’RE MAKING IT OR COMMENTING ON IT. QUOTE THIS WOMAN+ HAS A DATABASE OF FEMALE EXPERTS TO SHIFT THE PERCEPTION THAT ONLY MEN CAN BE AUTHORITIES.

- LESLEY STONES

Does anything in the news seem more preposterous than a report on abortion where the ‘expert’ being interviewed is a man? Or when a discussion about progressive work­ places is debated by an all­male panel – or a “manel”? It’s a common problem, since more than 80% of sources quoted in the news are men, even on issues that directly concern women. That’s a global statistic that South Africa mirrors closely.

While most of us just raise our eyebrows in dismay, Kathy Magrobi set out to overthrow that sexist, lazy, or ill­considered reporting by creating Quote This Woman+, a South African database of female experts in subjects ranging from aerospace to xenophobia.

These 500 experts are available for interviews, panel discussions or speaking engagements, and have been vetted to confirm their credentials and given media training to help them give sharp, accurate and interesting comments. It is starting to make a difference, with newsrooms like Daily Maverick and the Mail & Guardian often quoting a female expert in their stories. Foreign publications have also made use of the database, and more than 1000 journalists receive regular updates about its members.